Re: [boost] [documentation] Are SVG's in documentation viable now?

Subject: Re: [boost] [documentation] Are SVG's in documentation viable now?
From: Antony Polukhin (antoshkka_at_[hidden])
Date: 2014-12-08 08:39:04

2014-12-08 16:51 GMT+04:00 John Maddock <boost.regex_at_[hidden]>:

> Folks I need your opinions,
>
> Since it's inception, Boost.Math has used PNG versions of equations and
> graphs even though scalable SVG versions have been available.
> Unfortunately, a variety of issues have prevented their use. Fortunately,
> the logjam now appears to have cleared, and use of SVG's appears viable.
>
> So... I wonder if I can get folks to point their browsers at
> http://jzmaddock.github.io/doctest/html/svg_test/equations.html and let
> me know if there are any issues?  One that I'm aware of, is that the
> equations reference Window's specific fonts, but so far in my tests this
> appears not to be an issue.
>

On all browsers SVG equations are smaller than the PNG versions.
On all browsers zoomed to PNG size SVG equations look better than than the
PNG versions (SVG is much more sharp).

Windows, Firefox 33.1:
* Page renders really slowly, but this could be because of a huge amount of
SVG files.
* Hard to see the Ai(0) = ... 3^2/3... in 'airy'
* Page consumed ~800 MB of RAM

Windows, Chrome 39.0.2171 :
* Page renders slowly, but this could be because of a huge amount of SVG
files.
* Hard to see "z" letters, font is ugly
* Page consumed ~600 MB of RAM

Windows, Firefox 34.0:
* Page rendered faster than in 33.1 but scrolling is slow and nervous
* Page consumed ~800 MB of RAM

Windows, IE 8: SVG is not rendered, but IE 8 is not supported any more by
vendor.

Linux, Firefox 34.0 - everything is great, page rendered fast, page
consumed ~150 MB of RAM

Resume: If there's not many equations on the page - SVG is good.

P.S.: As a transitional solution, you could use a raster fallback: <img
src="your.svg" onerror="this.src='fallback.png'"> for antique browsers

-- 
Best regards,
Antony Polukhin